The way forward for Virginians’ reproductive rights and public colleges are within the stability in November’s elections, and a brand new College of Mary Washington ballot reveals management of the state’s Basic Meeting is coming right down to the wire.
The new ballot’s toplines give Democrats a slight edge amongst registered voters—40% say they need a Democratic legislative majority and 37% want a Republican one—however when “possible” voters, partisan management desire is evenly cut up at 42% every.
That merely emphasizes the significance of voter turnout as soon as once more for Virginians who wish to see abortion stay authorized and their public colleges supported and funded.
“Virginia has quickly returned to its purple state standing,” stated Stephen J. Farnsworth, professor of political science at UMW. “This new statewide survey reveals that Virginia’s voters are principally evenly divided as they method the upcoming Virginia legislative elections.”
The ballot additionally evaluated the significance of sure folks and insurance policies on their vote in November’s elections.
Sixty-four % of respondents stated that “public faculty insurance policies” will likely be a significant factor in deciding their vote, and 53% stated that the US Supreme Court docket’s choice to overturn Roe v. Wade will likely be a significant factor. GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin will likely be a significant factor in 43% of voters’ choice in November.
UMW’s ballot is per different surveys this yr that point out Virginians’ sturdy help for reproductive rights. This ballot discovered that 57% of Virginians imagine that abortion ought to be authorized in all (23%) or most (34%) circumstances. Simply 8% of Virginians help a complete ban on abortions. A Roanoke School ballot from August discovered that simply 12% of Virginians help a complete abortion ban, whereas 86% imagine abortion ought to be authorized in all (36%) or some (50%) circumstances.
The ballot additionally means that Virginians are keen about casting their ballots on this November’s legislative elections. Amongst registered voters, 85% are “completely sure” they may vote. As UMW has solely launched the ballot’s topline outcomes, it’s not clear how that enthusiasm is distributed amongst self-identified Republicans, Democrats, and impartial voters.
The Virginia Home Democratic Caucus appeared energized by the ballot’s findings.
“We’ve all the time identified that with the MAGA extremist candidates they’ve placed on the poll that the stakes are increased than ever earlier than,” government director Amy Friedman advised Dogwood. “Abortion’s on the poll. Absolutely funding our public colleges is on the poll. Democracy is on the poll. Voters are realizing that and are turning out to guard their basic rights and freedoms from the intense MAGA Republicans within the Virginia GOP. Democrats are able to win in November, and it’s clear the momentum is on our facet.”
UMW’s Fall 2023 Virginia Survey was performed from Sept. 5 – 11, 2023. The whole pattern included 1,000 Virginia residents, together with 833 registered voters and 771 possible voters, and the margin of error is +/- 3.0%.
